Mary Nordale
Apr 8, 1934 -
Dec 22, 2024
Mary Anita Nordale, public servant, attorney and advocate for Alaska, passed away in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Dec. 22, 2024, at the age of 90. Mary was born in Fairbanks on April 8, 1934, to Alton Gerald Nordale, a territorial legislator, and Katherine Driscoll Nordale, delegate to the Alaska Constitutional Convention, both role models in her service through government. Her paternal grandfather, Anton "Tony" Nordale, also had a long history of civic engagement, including serving on the first Board of Regents of the University of Alaska. Her maternal grandfather, J.C. Driscoll, served as mayor of Reardon, Wash.
Mary spent her childhood in Fairbanks and then Juneau, where she graduated from Juneau Douglas High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Gonzaga University that included time studying at the University of Vienna. She later obtained a Juris Doctor from George Washington University.
Mary worked as a staff member for Sen. E.L. "Bob" Bartlett, when he was both a delegate and an elected member of the United States Senate after Statehood. The Bartletts, including Bob, Vide, Doris Ann and Susie, were her family's closest and lifelong friends. While working for Sen. Bartlett, Mary was actively involved in crafting Statehood legislation. She later assisted in in the early stages of the Alaska Native land claims movement and contributed to the development of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Upon returning to Alaska in 1968, Mary served as Assistant U.S. Attorney and then Assistant District Attorney for the State of Alaska. She then worked as branch counsel for the Small Business Administration and later entered private practice, specializing in business and mining law. Mary served as Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue from 1984 to 1986. Encouraged by Juneau colleagues, she became involved with the Alaska Miners Association, including becoming president to the Juneau chapter.
Mary returned to her beloved Fairbanks where her contributions to Alaska extended far beyond her legal career. She helped found Fairbanks Resource Agency after the 1967 Chena River flood. Later, Mary helped establish the FRANK (Frustrated Responsible Alaskans Needing Knowledge) Initiative, which called for the study and passage of a general obligation bond that covered costs associated with moving Alaska's capital from Juneau. Mary served on several boards, including Interior Gas Utility, Alaska Humanities Forum and the UAF College of Engineering Advisory Board. From 2004 to 2011, she served as the first female president of Alaska Miners Association and later as a Director Emeritus. She was instrumental in drafting bylaws to establish the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame, where she served as a Director and Officer.
Most notably, Mary was known for her intellect, dedication to ethical governance and her work to remove barriers for women in resource management and development.
She enjoyed great conversations, reading, cooking, spending summers at Harding Lake, music - especially opera - travel and staying current on national and international news. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; brother, James; and sister-in-law, Sheila. She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Meg, Molly, Jim and Dan Nordale; grand-nieces and -nephews; cousins; and many dear friends.
A memorial gathering will be held from 1-4 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Raven Landing Fireplace Lounge. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's honor can be made to Alaska Mining Hall of Fame, https://www.alaskamininghalloffame.org/contribute.php.
